Tootfinder

The cops and the government suggest that tomorrow's protest against the proscription of Palestine Action should be postponed because a crazy person done some murders.
The home secretary says
“If the point of protest is to stand up for something and persuade other people that you are right, then I think this is entirely the wrong way to go about it, but that is on their conscience.”
That is not the point of the protest. The point of the protest is to show that the proscription of a non violent protest organization under terrorism laws is ridiculous and unenforceable as well as being a massive waste of police and court time.
Delaying the protest would harm that demonstration. The police are over stretched and can't enforce this stupid counter-productive proscription without compromising their duty elsewhere.
Demonstrating that is the point of the protest, and police saying "We are too stretched to arrest all these demonstrators" just reinforces that point all the more.
You know what police and government? You could just not persecute non violent protestors as terrorists. That'd solve your over-stretched police resources problem in one stroke!
#palestineAction #ukpol #protest

Bravo to the merry prankster who convinced Starmer he was running for the Tories, and kept the jape running this past decade or thereabouts.
Come now, you’ve had your fun—it’s time to own up and pull the wool from the poor lad’s eyes. #ukpol https://

I said already that the Palestine Action proscription was bringing the law into disrepute.
Now we see how it's bringing the law into disrepute even with police officers charged with enforcing it.
“I was told to help in the arrest of a disabled person for holding up the sign stating they opposed genocide and supported Palestine Action, which I did.
“I did it knowing it had nothing to do with upholding justice or our professional values, just to protect my job and livelihood. My father was an officer, and the reason I came into the police. I know he would be ashamed and turning in his grave if he saw what I did. ...
“Instead of catching real criminals and terrorists, we are arresting pensioners and disabled people calling for the saving of children’s lives ... It makes me question why I’m even in this career anymore.”
- police officer
People in the Crown Prosecution Service not happy about it either apparently. Interesting article.
(I don't like that they used "mad" in the headline though. I realise it was a quote, but I bet there were some other quotable words they could've chosen.)
#PalestineAction #police #CPS #UKLaw #UKPol

Ah, the left, can't even wait until there's a name and a membership list before you split eh?
YourNameHere Party isn't even a party yet and there's fights. Sultana launches a full on membership join-up site and then Corbyn claims it ain't the right one.
🤣 🙄
And there isn't even any policy to argue about yet. Factions forming just over who is in control of organizing conference and taking membership fees.
Well done everyone ❤️
Join the greens 🟢
#ukpol #yourParty

Useful bit of political/legal analysis from @….
Plus bonus enjoyment from this little piece of advice:
"(As a general rule, the more reliance which is placed on how “distinguished” a lawyer is making a point, the weaker the legal point being made.)"
Haha!
#law #UKPol #Palestine

I may be jumping the gun here, but “Der Starmführer” is just too good a name to leave laying on the table.
A text description of the attached video follows. (It was too long for ALT text.)
#ukpol #palestine #terrorism

They're going to allow sixteen year olds to vote in the next election, presumably so they can learn about futility and pointless hallow ineffectuality at a nice young age.
The vast majority of those 16 and 17 year olds will be voting in safe seats where their votes amount to nothing and can change nothing.
There are far more important electoral reforms which are of course not being done.
#voting #ukpol #electoralReform

I think "We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear - Keir Starmer, 2025" might look good on a placard somewhere...
#UKPol #KeirStarmer #protest

Good news everyone! We may finally have actual legal safe passage for refugees into the UK. 🥳
​​But seems to be dependent upon so-called "illegal" entry still happening.
Only one legal safe passage per "illegal" entry returned.
🤔
#ukpol #refugees #oneInOneOut

"I was sceptical of Keir Starmer's Labour Party, but willed it to turn things round and build a fairer, greener, kinder country. I was suspicious of its policy vacuums, but thought "well at least it understands strategy". But what we now see is that it is as weak on strategy as it is on ideals."
#GeorgeMonbiot #KeirStarmer #LabourParty #UKPol

See, this is the kind of thing which made me take note of Jeremy Corbyn in the first place. He may not be the greatest on the management side of leadership, but unlike a lot of blow-with-the-wind politicians, he actually comes right out and says things that are true and helpful!
#JeremyCorbyn #YourParty #LabourParty #UKPol

"we don't have leaders we have windsocks" says @….
Immediately I thought of Keir Starmer!
#KeirStarmer #windsocks #UKPol

A lot of media today excited that US companies are "investing" in the UK with announcements timed with the visit from that wanker they elected over there.
But "investment" here means US companies buying UK land and staff and companies, right?
The whole press is celebrating more of the UK being sold to American owners. Like its a really great thing that UK workers will have American bosses and American companies will own and manage sites here.
Seems an odd thing to celebrate. I'd be happier if UK companies were repossessing US assets in this country and the country's wealth was expected to remain with UK owners.
Oh well. Expect "investment" has already meant those media companies are owned by Americans eh?
#ukpol #uspol #investment #thatWankerTheyElected

"This consultation will last for 8 weeks from 23 June 2025 until 18 August 2025. Responses must be received by 23:59 on 18 August 2025."
(see previous post for context)
#ToxicChemicals #law #UKLaw #UKPol #Brexit

"Brian Leishman, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Rachael Maskell and Chris Hinchcliffe will now sit as independent MPs."
“I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.”
- Brian Leishman, MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, one of many who voted against the government’s disability benefit cuts.
Respect to the rebels, for voting with their consciences even when it got them into trouble!
I wonder if any of them will join up with Corbyn & Sultana's new thing?
#UKPol #KeirStarmer #LabourParty #LabourRebels

Stonking evidence-based piece from @…, available in either text or video -
"Why are the wealthy so wealthy?"
"The short answer? The UK tax system is stacked in their favour. From low capital gains rates to massive ISA and pension subsidies, we're handing the wealthy thousands each year while working people shoulder the load. I break down the numbers, show how tax reliefs pour money into the pockets of the top 20%, and reveal why your taxes are effectively funding luxury lifestyles."
#tax #UK #UKPol #TaxWealthNotWork

Useful analysis from Nour Haidar on the wider implications of proscribing Palestine Action, inc blurring the difference between property-harm and people-harm.
#UK #terrorism #law #UKPol #UKlaw #PalestineAction

Ed Davey, Lib Dem MP, has done a letter about Musk's speech at the far right protest yesterday:
"I've written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, urging them to join me in condemning Elon Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence yesterday.
"As leaders, we must stand together and make clear Musk will face serious consequences for these actions."
(If you click through to the Bluesky post, apologies for lack of proper alt text on the letter itself. I did look on his web site for the full text & didn't find it there.)
#EdDavey #ElonMusk #KeirStarmer #UKPol

"Want to import toxic chemicals into Britain with scant scrutiny? Labour says: go right ahead"
George Monbiot explains:
"Yes, these proposals might reduce costs for business. But the inevitable result is to transfer them to society. ...
"Many have paid with their lives, health, education or livelihoods for previous “bonfires of red tape”: through the Grenfell Tower disaster, filthy rivers, collapsing classrooms, consumer rip-offs and the 2008 financial crisis. But as long as these costs can be shifted off corporate and current government balance sheets, that is deemed a win for business and win for the Treasury."
#ToxicChemicals #law #UKLaw #UKPol #KeirStarmer #RachelReeves #LabourParty

Mostly what I'd expect him to say.
This line stuck out to me:
"Looking at the Labour Party now, it’s as if MPs are afraid of the people they are meant to represent"
That rings true to me. Reminds me of the recent arrests for challenging the proscription of Palestine Action. Ordinary people explicitly disagreeing with the government, oh no! Can't be allowed!
And I think part of what a lot of people like about Corbyn is he _doesn't_ give that vibe. He behaves as though ordinary people are reasonable, resourceful, able to collaborate on solutions.
#UKPol #JeremyCorbyn #YourParty #LabourParty

== message/quote continues ==
Here's the list of the stalls that the Green Festival have been forced to cancel under pressure from the Insurers
Alliance for Workers' Liberty
Amnesty International
Bahš’ís of Nottingham
CND, Nottingham / Stop the War Coalition
Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Nottm
Friends of the Earth, Nottingham
Global Justice Nottingham
Greenpeace, Nottingham Support Group
Keep our NHS Public (KONP)
Make Votes Matter
New Lucas Plan /Just Space
Nottingham Anti Capitalist Resistance
Nottingham Climate Assembly
Nottingham Friends of Standing Together
Nottingham Green Party
Nottingham Labour Group
Nottingham Morning Star Readers and Supporters Group
Nottingham Socialist Workers Party (SWP)
Nottingham Stand Up to Racism
Nottingham Unite Community
Nottinghamshire Trades Council (TUC)
Open Homes
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)
People for Palestine
Refugee Forum, Nottm & Notts
Socialist Party, Nottm
Soka Gakkai - Nottingham (SGI-UK)
XR Extinction Rebellion
== end of message / end of quote ==
I must say, I feel very unimpressed by this behaviour from the insurers. Is it not obvious from the start that something called a Green Fest is going to be "political"??!! eleventy!
#Nottingham #GreenFest #environment #UKPol #insurance

Green Fest being let down by their long-standing insurers at the last minute!!
Not cancelling the whole thing, but having to make some changes.
(the event is tomorrow as I write, Sunday 14 September 2025)
== quote begins ==
A statement from Nottingham Green Festival:
Due to a policy change by our insurers, that we weren't informed of until now, we have had to let go of some of our planned stallholders.
This is because they won't provide the one day cover needed to any stalls promoting "political, religious or cultural issues". If we were to include these stalls, the insurance we've paid for the entire event would be invalid and we would not be covered at all. As you can imagine this isn't a risk we can take.
We considered cancelling the event, but we didn't want to let down the wonderful caterers, artists and other stall holders who've been working so hard and investing money into the event. So, we will be going ahead, but not as planned; we're doing a bit of last minute rebranding and today's [tomorrow's, but I guess when writing this statement they were imagining people seeing it tomorrow] event will now be known as a Nottingham Green Fair.
Please enjoy the amazing local entertainment, goods, and vegan food stalls here today. We will not let this dampen our spirits!
We are still in touch with the stallholders who were unfortunately turned away and we sincerely hope to be able to host an event with them again. Keep an eye on our social media and email newsletter for more information regarding this very difficult decision.
== quote continues in next post ==
#Nottingham #GreenFest #environment #UKPol #insurance

521 arrests yesterday "for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action at Westminster's Parliament Square".
Bad for the reputation of the law, bad for the country.
Also, preposterous to contend that this is a good use of police time. Go and retrieve some stolen bikes!
#UKLaw #UKPol #London #police #PalestineAction

UK police conflating "support for Palestine" with "support for proscribed group Palestine Action".
When they passed that law, I _thought_ things might slide this way at some point!
"In the encounter, which she filmed, one officer told her: “Mentioning freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide, all of that all come under proscribed groups, which are terror groups that have been dictated by the government.”
"He went on to say that the phrase “Free Gaza” is “supportive of Palestine Action”, adding it was an offence “to express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely Palestine Action is an offence under section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act”. The officer told her she had committed that offence."
Starmer & co really need to speak out if this _wasn't_ exactly what they wanted to have happen :-/
#FreedomOfSpeech #UK #law #PalestineAction #censorship #police #Palestine #Israel #UKPol